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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



CHRONOLOGY 



OF 



THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 



1644-1828 



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v 



MAY 2S 1895 

v 
By ALICE N. TOWNSEND 



PUBLISHED FOB THE 
BY 

FRIENDS' BOOK ASSOCIATION 

15th and race streets 

1895 



*% 



Copyright, 1895, by Friends' Book Association, 
or Philadelphia. 



PREFACE. 

This Chronology aims to bring together facts that 
have lain scattered over the pages of voluminous his- 
tories, and to present them in a form easy for reference. 
Samuel M. Janney's "History of Friends, " "Sewel's 
History," "George Fox's Journal," "The History of 
Friends in America," by James Bowden, and Luke 
Howard's Chronological Summary in the Yorkshireman, 
have been the prime authorities. 

This list of dates and events, with the summaries of 
the periods, forms an outline which the History Com- 
mittee of the Young Friends' Association of Philadel- 
phia hopes will prove acceptable to those interested in 
the history of the Society of Friends. 

A. N. T. 

First month, 1895. 



CHRONOLOGY OF 



PERIODS OF FRIENDS' HISTORY. 

I. Beginning, 1644-1653. 

II. Extension, 1654-1659. 

III. Organization, 1660-1689, 

IV. Continuation, 1690-1799. 

V. Dissension, 1800-1828. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 



BEGINNING. 

1644-1653. 

The beginning of the Society of Friends is considered 
coincident with the beginning of George Fox's public 
ministry, viz., in the early forties of the seventeenth 
century. Before 1651 his ministry was confined to the 
midland counties of England, but late in that year he 
entered Yorkshire, and the years 1652 and 1653 were 
spent by him in the northern counties. Great convincc- 
ments attended his labors. Meetings were settled over 
all the north, and about sixty able ministers became Lis 
coadjutors. A large proportion of the most prominent 
Friends of the first generation were convinced during 
these two years or a little later. 



CHRONOLOGY OF 



1624 Birth of George Fox at Drayton, Leicestershire. 

1643 Period of greatest spiritual distress to George 
-46 Fox. Journeyings and questionings. 

1644 • Beginning of quickening in Leicestershire. 

1645 Beginning of quickening in Warwickshire. 

1646 Beginning of quickening in Nottinghamshire. 

1647 Beginning of quickening in Derbyshire. 

1648 Beginning of quickening in adjacent counties of 
-50 middle England. 

1648 Testimony of blood of Christ at a meeting of 

"professors." 

1649 Travels through Nottingham, Leicester and 
-50 Derbyshire. 

1649 Testimony of true church at meeting of several 

sects at Leicester. 

First imprisonment of George Fox, at Not- 
tingham. 

Meetings at Sheriff Reckless' house. 

1650 Release from prison. 

Elizabeth Hooten begins preaching in Notting- 
hamshire. 

Arrest of George Fox at Derby. 

Commitment to six months' imprisonment in 
house of correction for " blasphemous" opinions. 

Justice Bennet gives Fox and his followers the 
name Quakers. 

1651 Refusal of offers of release. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 7 

1651 Testimony against war, oaths, mismanagement 

of prisons and death penalty. 
Release from prison beginning of winter. 
Journey through Leicestershire, Staffordshire 

(visit to Lichfield), Nottingham, Derby into 

Yorkshire. 

1651 Winter in Yorkshire. 

-52 Establishment of meetings in Yorkshire. 

1652 Entered Westmoreland early in spring. 
Meeting at Firbank Chapel. Convincement of 

Francis Howgill, John Camm, John and Ann 

Audland, probably Richard Hubberthorn. 
Meetings in Westmoreland. 
Visit at Swarthmore Hall, Lancashire. 
Convincement of Margaret Fell and others of 

household. 
Imprisonment of James Nayler and Francis 

Howgill at Appleby. 
Attack on Friends at Walney Island and Ulver- 

stone. 
Warrant for Fox granted by Justices Sawrey and 

Thompson. 
Protection of Judge Fell and Colonel West. 
Vindication of Fox at Lancaster assizes. 
Meeting settled at Swarthmore. 
Preaching by about twenty ministers. 
Persecution in Westmoreland and Lancashire. 

1653 Long Parliament dissolved. 

Visit of George Fox to Cumberland. 



CHRONOLOGY OF 

1653 Commitment to prison as blasphemer, heretic 
and seducer at Carlisle. 

Visit of James Parnel to George Fox in Carlisle 
prison. 

Unavailing efforts for release by Anthony Pear- 
son and Justice Benson. 

Release of George Fox. 

Some meetings settled in north of England. 

Journey through Westmoreland to Swarthmore. 

Return to Cumberland. 

Journey through Durham, Northumberland and 
Cumberland. 

Imprisonment of Robert Widders at Carlisle. 

General persecution of Friends in North. 

Great increase in Friends' meetings. 

First public whipping of Friends — Mary Fisher 
and Elizabeth Williams, Cambridge, England. 

Meetings held in south of Scotland. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 



II. 

EXTENSION. 

1654-1659. 

The six years beginning with 1654 and ending with 
1659 may be said to comprise the period of the Society's 
Extension. In 1654 Friendliness secured a foothold in 
Ireland, Scotland and Wales, while northern preachers, 
scattering over England, established several centres of 
influence in the eastern and southwestern parts of that 
country. By 1660 meetings were settled over all Eng- 
land and Wales, the larger part of Ireland, and about 
half of Scotland. This was also a period of foreign ac- 
tivity. Friendly missionaries travelled across the con- 
tinent, visited the Levant, and crossed the Atlantic to 
the British colonies in the West Indian islands, and the 
North American Coast. As a result, meetings were 
settled in Holland and some parts of Germany, in the 
Barbadoes and adjacent islands, and in New England 
Long Island, Maryland and Virginia. 



10 CHRONOLOGY OF 



Cfjronologg. 

1654. About sixty persons in ministry. 

Introduction of Friends' principles into Ireland 
by William Edmundson. 

Visit of Miles Halhead, Miles Bateman, and 
James Lancaster to north Ireland. 

English Friends visit Scotland. 

Miles Halhead and James Lancaster in Glasgow, 
Stirling, Edinburgh, Dumfries. 

Thomas Holmes and John Ap- John minister in 
Wales. 

John Stubbs refuses oath of allegiance to Crom- 
well and leaves army. 

George Fox travels through midland counties 
and visits Drayton. 

Arrested by Colonel Hacker near close of year 
and sent to London. 

William Dewsbury preaches in Yorkshire and 
midland. 

George Whitehead labors in Norfolk and Suffolk. 

Meetings held in London. 

Edward Burrough and Francis Howgill preach 
in London. 

John Camm and John Audland hold great out- 
door meetings in Bristol. 

Oxford visited by Elizabeth Fletcher, Elizabeth 
Havens, John Camm and John Audland 
during the year. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 11 

1654 Cambridge visited by Miles Halhead, James 

Lancaster, James Parnel and George White- 
head. 

Richard Hubberthorn imprisoned at Norwich. 

George Whitehead and James Lancaster im- 
prisoned at Norwich. 

James Parnel imprisoned at Cambridge. 

Miles Halhead imprisoned at Berwick. 

Riots in Bristol near close of year. 

William Dewsbury imprisoned at York, and at 
Northampton with others. 

1 655 Ireland visited by Edward Burrough, Francis 

Howgill, Elizabeth Fletcher and Elizabeth 
Smith. 

Meetings settled in Dublin and south of Ireland. 

Burrough and Howgill sent to England by the 
Lord Deputy. 

William Edmundson and others preach in north 
of Ireland. 

Barbara Blangdon arrives in Dublin and re- 
proves Deputy. 

John Stubbs and William Caton preach in Kent. 

Convincement of Samuel Fisher. 

George Whitehead continues in Norfolk, Suffolk 
and Essex. 

James Parnel arrested at Coggeshal and impris- 
oned in Colchester. 

George Whitehead and four others imprisoned 
in Edmundsbury. 



12 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1655 Humphrey Smith and others imprisoned at 

Eversham. 

Ambrose Rigge imprisoned in Southampton. 

Ann Audland imprisoned at Banbury (?) 

Ann Downer in house of correction, London. 

George Baily imprisoned at Newgate and Bride- 
well, London. 

Francis Howgill has interview with Cromwell. 

William Caton and John Stubbs visit Calais, 
France (in summer). 

William Caton and John Stubbs visit Holland. 

George Fox's interview with Cromwell, begin- 
ning of year. 

Release, and travels in east, middle and south of 
England. 

1656 George Fox arrested in Cornwall and imprisoned 

at Launceston until Seventh month, O. S. 
(September. ) 

Return to London after release. 

Interview with Cromwell. 

Samuel Fisher has interview with Cromwell. 

Cromwell releases William Dewsbury and others 
in Northampton. 

Cromwell releases George Whitehead and others 
in Edmundsbury. 

Cromwell releases Humphrey Smith in Evers- 
ham. 

William Caton and John Stubbs ill-treated and 
imprisoned at Maidstone. 

Barbara Blangdon imprisoned in Ireland. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 13 

1656 Cruel sentence passed on George Whitehead in 

Suffolk. 
James Nayler imprisoned at Exeter. 
His famous entry into Bristol. 
Cruel punishment of James Nayler in London. 
Imprisonment of James Nayler in Bridewell. 
Death of John Camm. 
Death of James Parnel in Colchester prison. 
William Caton and John Stubbs again visit 

Holland. 
Mary Fisher visits Barbadoes. 
Arrival Anne Austin and Mary Fisher in Bos- 
ton in summer. 
Imprisonment of Anne Austin and Mary Fisher. 

Sent to Barbadoes. 
Arrival and banishment of eight more Friends 

at Boston. 
Passage of persecuting law in Boston, Eighth 

month, O. S. (October.) 
General meeting at Balby. 
Expostulation and banishment of Niehola s 

Upsall from Massachusetts. 
Elizabeth Harris introduces Friends' books in 

Virginia. 

1657 Thomas Loe travels in Ulster and Munster. 
George Fox journeys over all Wales and part of 

Scotland. 
John Burnyeat imprisoned in Carlisle. 
General persecution in England. 
George Baily imprisoned in France. 



14 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1657 William Ames labors in Holland. 

George Robinson goes on mission to Jerusalem. 

Josiah Cole and Thomas Thurston arrive in Vir- 
ginia close of year. 

Robert Fowler builds ship, the Woodhouse, for 
use of Friends. 

The Woodhouse brings eleven Friends to New 
Amsterdam. 

Short persecution in New Netherlands. 

Arrival Anne Burden and Mary Dyer in Boston. 

Friends visit Plymouth, Mass. 

Mary Clark and other Friends whipped and 
imprisoned in Boston. 

Persecution in Salem. 

Passage of more severe persecuting law in Boston, 
Eighth month, O. S. (October.) 

Tolerant action of Rhode Island. 

1658 General meeting at John Crooks' in Bedford- 

shire. 

Convincement of Isaac Penington. 

John Burnyeat and Wm. Dewsbury visit Scot- 
land. 

George Whitehead imprisoned at Ipswich. 

George Fox writes several epistles to Cromwell 
concerning Friends. 

September 3, death of Oliver Cromwell. 

Cruel persecution in Massachusetts. 

Act of death penalty for returned Friends passed 
in Boston. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 15 

1658 Popular sympathy for sufferers in Boston and 

Salem. 

General meeting for discipline at Balby, York- 
shire, and Skipton. 

Brutal treatment of Friends by students at Ox- 
ford and Cambridge. 

Journey of Josiah Cole and Thomas Thurston 
from Virginia to New England. 

Josiah Cole labors among Indians on Martha's 
Vineyard and in Plymouth. 

Meetings settled in Virginia and Maryland. 

1659 William Ames travels in Germany. 
John Stubbs and Samuel Fisher in Rome. 
Samuel Fisher and Edward Burrough visit Dun- 
kirk, France. 

William Salt imprisoned at Morlaix in France. 

Christopher Birkhead imprisoned at Rochelle. 

In March banishment of several Friends from 
Boston. 

Eighth month, O. S. (October), execution of 
Marmaduke Stephenson and William Robin- 
son at Boston. Banishment and whipping of 
other Friends. 

Richard Cromwell deposed. 

General Monk gives order in Friends' favor. 



16 CHRONOLOGY OF 



ii r. 



ORGANIZATION. 

1660-1689. 

The third period in Friends' history begins with the 
Restoration of Charles II. in 1660 and ends with the 
passage of the Toleration Act in 1689. It, therefore, 
very nearly coincides with the reigns of the last two 
Stuart kings. Viewed externally it is the period of 
persecution ; viewed internally it is the period of organi- 
zation. The Massachusetts cruelties belong principally 
to this period, while, with the exception of short inter- 
vals following royal indulgence, persecution in the 
British Isles was severe and continuous during the 
whole thirty years. Under pressure from this persecu- 
tion, the Society crystallized. Friends' principles were 
ably and clearly presented in the writings of Penn, 
Penington and Barclay. A great common cause bound 
the members to each other. The necessary machinery 
for a federation of meetings came into existence; 
Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings were estab- 
lished, and the epistles and advices of these meetings 
laid the foundation of the discipline. Another result of 
the home persecution was the emigration of Friends to 
the New World. New Jersey offered the first asylum. 
The Friendly emigration began about 1670, and was 
greatly increased after the grant of Pennsylvania to 
William Penn in 1681. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 



(Ifjronolajjg. 

1660 Death of James Naylor at King's Rippon. 
Execution of Mary Dyer in Boston. 
Mission of Mary Fisher to Sultan of Turkey. 
Friends travel to Italy, Egypt and Turkey. 
General meeting at Balby, Yorkshire, and Arn- 

side, Lancashire. 
Proclamation of Breda. 
Restoration Charles II. , Third month, O. S. 

(May.) 
Edward Burrough answers Queries concerning 

political attitude of Friends. 
Seven hundred Friends released by King upon 

intercession of Margaret Fell. 
George Fox imprisoned at Lancaster, brought 

to London, released by King. 
Interview between the King and Richard Hub- 

berthorn concerning Friends' principles. 
Friends appear before the House of Lords to 

give reasons for non-conformity. 
King's declaration confirming Declaration of 

Breda, Eighth month, O. S. (October. ) 
Toleration Bill defeated in the House of Com- 
mons. 
Death of Thomas Aid am. 
George Fox the younger addresses letter to 

Charles II. 
Convincement of Thomas Ell wood. 



18 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1660 General meeting removed to London. 
Humphrey Smith's vision of great fire in 

London. 

1661 Rising of Fifth Monarchy men, Eleventh month, 

1660, O. S. (January.) 

Proclamation forbidding Quakers to meet for 
worship. 

General persecution throughout United King- 
dom. Persecution milder in Ireland owing to 
character of officials. 

Hat controversy begun by John Perrot. 

Friends' marriage rite pronounced legal. 

Katherine Evans and Sarah Cheevers im- 
prisoned at Malta. 

William Leddra hanged in Boston, First month, 
O. S. (March.) 

Wenlock Christison condemned to death Fourth 
month, O. S. (June), but released. 

Vagabond Act passed in Massachusetts, Third 
month, O. S. (May), ; death penalty no longer 
enforced. 

King's missive delivered to Samuel Shattuck, 
Seventh month, O. S. (September), ordering 
accused Quakers sent to England for trial. 

Vagabond Act suspended, Ninth month, 
O. S. (November.) 

Massachusetts sends deputies to London w T ith 
address to King. 

Interview between George Fox and Massachu- 
setts deputies. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 19 

1661 Bill against Friends introduced in Parliament, 

Fifth month, O. S. (July.) 
Efforts of Friends to prevent passage of Bill. 

1662 John Philly and William Moore imprisoned by 

Inquisition in Hungary. 

Vagabond Act revived in Massachusetts. 

Barbarous treatment of Quaker women in 
Massachusetts. 

Persecuting Bill against Friends passes Parlia- 
ment. 

Receives royal assent, Third month, O. S. (May.) 

Corporation Act passed. Displaced all magis- 
trates not in sympathy with persecuting bill. 

Persecution general, prisons crowded, nearly all 
noted Friends in prison. George Fox in 
Leicester jail. 

Twenty Friends die in Newgate. Richard Hub- 
berthorn one of those who died. 

Convincements in Wales and Scotland, particu- 
larly Aberdeen. 

1663 Death of Edward Burrough (1662, O. S.), John 

Audland and Humphrey Smith. 
Thomas Lurting's adventure with pirates in 

Mediterranean. 
Cruel treatment of Elizabeth Hooten and Edward 

Wharton in Massachusetts. 
Continued convincement and persecution in 

Scotland. 
George Fox travels in England and Wales. 
Francis Howgill committed to Appleby Jail. 



20 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1663 Sarah Cheevers and Catharine Evans released 

from prison in Malta. 

1664 Continued persecution in Massachusetts. 
George Fox imprisoned at Lancaster. 
Margaret Fell imprisoned and premunired. 
Passage of Conventicle Act against all dissenters, 

Fifth month, O. S. (July.) 

General persecution, prisons crowded, twenty- 
five Friends die in Newgate. 

One hundred and thirty-seven Friends sen- 
tenced to transportation, but sentence executed 
in only few cases. 

Cruel persecution in Bristol. 

John Burnyeat visits Barbadoes. 

1665 Death of John Endicott, Governor of Massachu- 

setts, First month, O. S. (March). 

Commissioners interfere in behalf of Quakers. 

Persecution subsides in Massachusetts. 

John Burnyeat travels in Virginia and Mary- 
land, and endeavors to counteract influence 
of John Perrot. 

George Fox premunired and removed to Scar- 
borough Castle. 

Plague in London. 

Relaxation of persecution. 

Parliament meets at Oxford. 

Passage of Five Mile Act. 

Convincement of John Roberts. 

Death of Samuel Fisher and William Caton. 

1666 Convincement of David Barclay of Ury. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 21 

1666 Severe persecution in Scotland. 

George Fox released from Scarborough, travels 

in England. 
Prophecy of Thomas Ibbet and great fire in 

London. 
Destruction Bull and Mouth meeting-house. 
Removal to Devonshire house. 
New meeting-house built in Gracechurch street. 
Establishment of monthly meetings. 
Per rot controversy settled at meeting in London. 
Death of Richard Farnsworth. 

1667 George Fox recommends establishment of 

schools. 
Robert Barclay appears in ministry. 
William Penn unites with Friends. 
Arrest and imprisonment of William Penn in 

Cork. 

1668 William Penn appears in ministry. 

William Penn publishes " Truth Exalted" and 

" Sandy Foundation Shaken." 
Imprisonment of Penn in Tower. Publishes 

" Innocency with her Open Face," and " No 

Cross, No Crown." 
Release of Penn through influence Duke of York. 
Margaret Fell released from prison by King's 

order. 
First general meeting in London. 
Death of Josiah Cole and Thomas Loe. 

1669 Death of Francis Howgill in Appleby jail, 

(1668, O. S.) 



22 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1669 George Fox travels in Ireland. 

Marriage of George Fox and Margaret Fell at 

Bristol. 
Marriage of Robert Barclay and Christiana Mol- 

lison at Aberdeen. 
Margaret Fox again imprisoned at Lancaster, 

released by King 1670. 

1670 Robert Barclay publishes his first book, "Truth 

Cleared from Calumnies." 

Conventicle Act renewed and persecution re- 
animated. 

Meeting-houses at Horsleydown and Ratclifi 
destroyed. 

Gilbert Latey saves Wheeler Street meeting- 
house. 

Celebrated trial of William Penn and William 
Mead at the Old Bailey. 

Released from Newgate by Admiral Penn pay- 
ing fines. 

Death of Admiral Penn. 

William Penn again imprisoned. 

First Friends' meeting in New Jersey settled at 
Shrewsbury. 

John Burnyeat and William Simpson visit 
Barbadoes. 

William Simpson dies in Barbadoes. 

1671 Extensive travels of John Burnyeat in American 

colonies. 
George Fox with others visits Barbadoes. 
Friends visit Antigua, Jamaica and Nevis. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 23 

1671 William Penn travels on continent. Visits 

the Princess Elizabeth. 

1672 George Fox and others arrive in Maryland. 
All the colonies visited and meetings for dis- 
cipline established. 

Controversy with Roger Williams. 

Robert Barclay walks in sackcloth in Aberdeen. 

Death of Elizabeth Hooten in Jamaica. 

Marriage of William Penn and Gulielma 
Springett. 

General Yearly Meeting in London. Representa- 
tion proposed. 

Charles II. issues Declaration of Indulgence. 

Persecution arrested, large numbers of Friends 
liberated. 

John Bunyan released through influence of 
Friends. 

Convincement of Friends in Carolina. 

Persecution revived in Massachusetts. 

1673 Controversy between Friends and Thomas 

Hicks, Baptist. 

Penn publishes ' ' Reason against Railing ; ' ' and 
" Counterfeit Christian Detected." 

George Fox returns to England and is im- 
prisoned at Worcester. 

First representative Yearly Meeting in London. 

Representation decided to be discontinued for a 
season. 

1674 Revocation of Declaration of Indulgence. 

Revival of persecution. 



24 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1675 Acquittal of George Fox by Sir Matthew Hale. 
William Penn publishes treatise concerning 

oaths, " England's Present Interest," "Saul 

Smitten to the Ground.' ' 
Death of William Bayly. 
George Fox resides at Swarthmore Hall. 
William Edmundson visits Barbadoes. 
William Edmundson writes epistle to America 

concerning slavery. 
Public discussion at Aberdeen between divinity 

students on one side and Robert Barclay and 

George Keith on the other. 
King Philip's War in New England causes 

trouble to Friends. 
William Edmundson visits Rhode Island, travels 

through eastern New England to Piscataway. 
Friends under John Fenwick settle Salem, West 

New Jersey. 
Disaffection of Wilkinson and Story in regard 

to establishment of discipline. 
Standing committee (Meeting for Sufferings) 

established. 

1676 William Edmundson travels in New England 

and southwest. 
Friends subjected to trial in colonies during 

Indian wars. 
Indian war and Bacon's rebellion in Virginia. 
William Penn concerned with New Jersey with 

other Friends. 
Separation into East and West Jersey. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 25 

1676 Severe persecution in Aberdeen. Kobert Bar- 

clay imprisoned for a while. 
Robert Barclay visits Holland and Germany. 
First edition of Barclay's Apology published in 

Latin. 
Unsuccessful attempts at reconciliation with 

Wilkinson and Story. Partial reconciliation 

at Draw-well. 
Death of William Brend. 

1677 Last Quaker whipped in Massachusetts. Mar- 

garet Brewster. 

Friends settle Burlington, New Jersey. 

Continued settlement and development of West 
Jersey. 

Separation of Wilkinson and Story. Restora- 
tion of many of their adherents. Representa- 
tive Yearly Meeting restored. 

George Fox travels on the continent with Penn 
and Barclay. 

1678 Pretended Popish plot revives persecution. 
William Dewsbury imprisoned at Warwick. 
Friends nearly secure legal exemption from 

taking oath of allegiance. 
First Yearly Meeting epistle. 
Emigration to New Jersey continued. 
First edition of Barclay's Apology published in 

English. 

1679 Death of Isaac Penington. 

1681 Continuous persecution in England. Meeting- 



26 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1681 houses closed in London. Meetings held in 
-84 streets. Constancy of Friends in Bristol. 

King less willing than formerly to relieve 
Friends. 

1681 First general Yearly Meeting in New Jersey, at 
. Burlington. 

East Jersey comes into hands of Friends. 
William Penn receives grant of Pennsylvania 

from Charles II. 
Movement of colonists to Pennsylvania. 

1682 Robert Barclay appointed Governor of East 

Jersey. 
William Penn visits Pennsylvania. 
Philadelphia founded. 

General Assembly of province meets at Chester. 
Settlement of Pennsylvania proceeds rapidly. 
Welsh colonists settle Haverford, Merion and 

Radnor. 

1683 Great Treaty with the Indians at Shackamaxon. 
Only trial in the colony for witchcraft, acquittal. 

1683-85 Germans settle Germantown. 

1683 First school opened in Philadelphia by Enoch 

Flower. 

1684 William Penn returns to England. 

George Fox again visits Holland. John 
Burnyeat visits Scotland. 

1685 Decided that Friends in Pennsylvania and 

New Jersey constitute one yearly meeting. 
Death of Charles II. 
Accession of James II. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 27 

1685 Friends address the King in behalf of suffering 

members. 
Insurrection of Monmouth. 

1686 About thirteen hundred Friends liberated by 

James. 
George Fox gives the meeting-house at Swarth- 

more to the Society. 
Death of Anne Whitehead, Robert Widders and 

David Barclay. 

1687 James issues Declaration of General Indulgence. 
Expulsion of Fellows of Magdalen. 

1688 Clergy refuse to read Declaration of Indulgence. 
William of Orange lands at Torbay. 

Flight of James to France. 

Beginning of Reign of Terror in Ireland. 
Friends exposed to great danger. 

Death of Rebecca Travers and William Dews- 
bury. 

German Friends at Germantown (Philadelphia), 
testify against negro slavery. 

1689 Accession of William and Mary. 

Passage Toleration Act. Friends relieved from 

swearing to oath of allegiance. 
Death of Alexander Parker. 



28 CHRONOLOGY OF 

IV. 

CONTINUATION. 

1690-1799. 

The position of Friends in England was changed by 
the passage of the Toleration Act. The Society became 
a tolerated sect, its members subject to no persecution 
save distraint and imprisonment for non-payment of 
tithes. There followed about a century of what has 
been variously styled Quietism, Formalism, Declination, 
Deterioration. Here, the more general term Continua- 
tion is used. The first generation of Friends passed 
away during the early part of the period; with it de- 
parted the proselytizing zeal; orderly living and the 
maintenance of discipline became the aim of the Society. 
It was a time of great commercial prosperity, and 
Friends were among the most prosperous Englishmen. 
They increased in wealth and decreased in numbers 
and spirituality. After the middle of the century, 
efforts were made to return to the old standing, but the 
spirit of the Society's youth was no more. Yet apathy 
does not express the condition of affairs during this 
period. Schools were founded; money, time and influ- 
ence were given to sociological problems; prison reform 
received much attention in England, the abolition of 
negro slavery and the care of the Indians in America. 
The development of Pennsylvania proceeded rapidly 
during the first part of the period. After 1756 Friends 
ceased to be the controlling political power in the 
colony, but remained a moral power. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 29 

Cfjttm0l0gg. 

1690 Death of Robert Barclay, Thomas Salthouse and 

John Burnyeat. 

1691 Death of George Fox. Eleventh month, 1690, 

0. S. 
Convincement of Thomas Story. 
Beginning of controversy with George Keith in 

America. 

1692 William Penn deprived of governorship of Penn- 

sylvania. 
Pennsylvania annexed to New York under 

Colonel Fletcher. 
Friends in America contribute for redemption 

of Barbary captives. 
Philadelphia Monthly Meeting disowns Keith. 

Other meetings follow Philadelphia's example. 
Keith's followers, called Christian Quakers, set 

up separate meetings. 
Death of Stephen Crisp. 

1693 Colonel Fletcher arrives in Philadelphia with 

military retinue. 
Military defence demanded for Pennsylvania 

and New York. 
Assembly refuses to levy a war tax. Maintains 

its charter rights. 

1694 William Penn reinstated in governorship of 

Pennsylvania. 
George Keith brings his case before London 
Yearly Meeting. 



30 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1694 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting issues advice dis- 

couraging importation of negroes and exhort- 
ing to conscientious treatment of slaves. 
Death of Patrick Livingstone and Gulielma 
Springett Penn. 

1695 London epistle warning Quaker shipmasters 

against arming their vessels. 

Parliament passes bill intended to relieve non- 
tithe payers from ruinous exactions in 
ecclesiastical courts by allowing distraints to 
be made in civil courts. 

London Yearly Meeting disowns Keith. 

Keith makes unsuccessful attempts to form sepa- 
rate party in England. 

Death of Andrew Sowle. 

One hundred and thirty-four Friends imprisoned 
during year for non-payment of tithes. 

1696 Affirmation Act passed for seven years, relieving 

Friends from taking oaths. 
William Penn marries Hannah Callowhill. 
Convincement of Richard Claridge. 

1697 John Fothergill appears in ministry. 
William Penn charters school in Philadelphia. 

" Snake in the Grass ' ' controversy with Charles 
Leslie. 

1698 Friends in England present remonstrance con- 

cerning bill for censorship of press. 
The Welsh settle Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. 
Death of Charles Marshall. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 31 

1699 Yellow fever in Philadelphia. 

William Penn again arrives in Pennsylvania. 
Death of John Crook. 

1700 George Keith ordained priest in Established 

Church of England. 
Society reported prosperous though suffering for 

non-payment of tithes. 
Friends contribute for redemption of Barbary 

captives. 

1701 William Penn recalled to England. 

Thomas Chalkley makes Philadelphia his resi- 
dence. 

New charter granted Pennsylvania (before 
Penn's departure). 

1702 Accession of Queen Anne. 

Friends address Queen, w T ho assures them of pro- 
tection. 

New Jersey becomes royal province, East and 
West Jersey merged. 

Oppression of Lord Cornbury, royal governor. 

Last Friend redeemed from Barbary. 

George Keith's missionary journey to America. 

Keith challenges Samuel Bownas to disputation. 

Meeting at Hempstead, Long Island, and 
malicious action of Keith. 

Samuel Bownas imprisoned by Cornbury, through 
Keith' s misrepresentations. 

Death of Margaret Fox. 

1703 Release of Samuel Bownas. 



32 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1703 John Evans, deputy governor of Pennsylvania, 

attempts to carry out warlike policy. 

1704 John Estaugh and Richard Gove carried to 

Martinique by French privateers. 
Death of Ambrose Rigge. 

1705 Pennsylvania law concerning affirmation declared 

unconstitutional by governor. 
Death of Tacy Davies (wife of Richard Davies), 

John Blakling, Gilbert Latey, Ann Camm. 
Thomas Chalkley visits Indians. 

1706 Beginning of Ranter disturbance of meetings in 

Cumberland. 

1707 Death of Thomas Camm. 

1708 Prosecution Richard Claridge for teaching with- 

out license from bishop. 
Death of Richard Davies. 

1709 Governor Gookin succeeds Evans in Pennsyl- 

vania. 
Trouble in Pennsylvania concerning affirmations 
and money for war. 

1710 Meeting for Sufferings addresses Queen Anne on 

subject of religious toleration. 
Death of John Banks and William Crouch. 

1711 Friends still suffer severely for non-payment of 

tithes. 
Pennsylvania passes act prohibiting importation 

of negroes. Annulled by British government. 
Chester Quarterly Meeting brings subject of 

slavery before Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. 






HOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 33 

1712 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting asks counsel of 

London Yearly Meeting concerning slavery. 
William Penn, negotiating with crown for sale 

of Pennsylvania, is seized with apoplexy. 

Sale not confirmed. 
Sufferings of Friends in Hoist ein, Germany, 

during war. 
Peter the Great visits Quaker meeting in Fred- 

erickstadt, Holstein. 
Death of AVilliam Edmundson. 

1713 Peace of Utrecht. 

Death of Thomas Ellwood and William Mead. 

Thomas Wilson and James Dickinson visit 
American meetings. Report prosperous con- 
dition of Society, 1713-15. 

New Jersey passes Affirmation Act. 

1714 Act against Schism introduced in Parliament. 

Object to prevent dissenters from keeping 

schools. 
Death of Queen Anne. 
Accession of George I. Act against Schism a 

failure. 

1715 Affirmation Act made perpetual. 
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting makes the importa- 
tion of negroes an offence subject to discipline. 

Slavery agitated in New England Meeting. 

1716 Philadelphia meeting cautions Friends against 

buying and selling negroes. 

1717 Sir William Keith deputy governor of Pennsyl- 

vania. 



34 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1717 Benjamin Lay disowned in England. 

1718 Benjamin Lay settles in Barbadoes, begins his 

opposition to slavery. 
Death of William Penn. 

1719 Philadelphia meeting advises Friends not to buy 

or sell Indians. 

1721 Form of Affirmation in England changed to 

present form. 
Kichard Claridge warns Friends against South 
Sea schemes. 

1722 Friends in Ireland obtain Affirmation Act. 
Massachusetts Friends released from paying 

taxes for support of church ministers. 

1723 Death of George Whitehead. 

1725 Law concerning affirmation settled in Pennsyl- 
vania. 
1727 Samuel Bownas again visits America. 

First minute of London Yearly Meeting con- 
cerning slave trade. ' ' The practice not a 
commendable nor allowable one. ' ' 
Accession of George II. 

1729 Ralph Sandiford publishes " A Brief Examina- 

tion of the Practice of the Times," against 
negro slavery. 

1730 Society reported in prosperous condition. 
Chester Friends bring slavery before Philadel- 
phia Yearly Meeting for the fourth time. 
Meeting cautions Friends against buying 
negroes. (Advice repeated nearly every year 
until 1743). 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 35 

1731 Anthony Benezet comes to Philadelphia. 
Benjamin Lay removes to Philadelphia (perhaps 

1732). 

1732 Thomas Penn arrives in Philadelphia. Remains 

nine years. 
1734 John Penn arrives in Philadelphia. Remains 

one year. 
1736 Friends petition Parliament for relief from 
minor persecutions and long imprisonments 
for non-payment of tithes. 
Bill for relief of petitioners passes the House of 
Commons, but is defeated in the House of 
Lords through opposition of the clergy. 
John Fothergill and James Gough become 
prominent ministers. 
1720 Friends settle in vicinity of Potomac in Mary- 
-40 land and northern Virginia. 

1741 Thomas Chalkley visits Tortola. Great con- 

vincement in that island. 
Death of Thomas Chalkley in Tortola. 
James Logan writes letters defending use of arms 

in defence. 

1742 Anthony Benezet teaching in Friends' public 

school in Philadelphia. 
Death of Thomas Story and John Estaugh. 
John Woolman appears in ministry. 

1743 " Do Friends observe former advices of our 

Yearly Meeting not to encourage the importa- 
tion of negroes, not to buy them after 
imported ? ' Philadelphia required this query 



36 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1 743 to be answered annually by subordinate meet- 
ings. 
John Woolman writes bill of sale for negro 
woman, and thereafter refuses such business 
transactions. 

1744 Death of John Fothergill. 
Prosperity in Pennsylvania. 

1745 Irish affirmation act made perpetual. 
Rising in Scotland around Charles Edward. 

1746 Friends address King George II. expressing 

loyalty to government. 
John Woolman travels in Maryland and 

Virginia. 
John Woolman begins writing against slavery. 

1747 Benjamin Franklin excites to military measures 

in Pennsylvania. 

1750 Anthony Benezet establishes evening schools for 

negroes. 
Anthony Benezet begins writing on subject of 
slavery. 

1751 Death of James Logan. 

[Gregorian calendar adopted, (in English-speaking 
countries), taking effect in 1752, which year begins 
with January 1st, instead of March 25th. September 
3d made September 14th. Henceforth, the months, 
numbered in Friends' style, begin with January as 
First month.] 

1753 Death of Samuel Bownas. 

Proposition in England for establishment of 
women's yearly meeting for discipline. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 37 

1753 Mary Peisley and Catherine Peyton visit meet- 

ings from Carolina to New England, 1753-4. 

1754 Samuel Fothergill visits meetings from Georgia 
-55 to New England. 

1754 First printed writings of John Woolman : "Con- 

siderations on the Keeping of Negroes." 

1755 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting minute, "import- 

ing, selling or purchasing slaves" prohibited. 
Liberation of slaves advised. 

Indian outbreak and depredations along Penn- 
sylvania frontier. 

Money and militia raised for defence, but war 
not declared. 

1756 Declaration of war against Indians in Penn- 

sylvania, against remonstrances of Friends. 
Several Friends resign seats in Assembly. 
Correspondence between Governor Morris and 

Privy Council. 
Attempt in Parliament to make members of 

Pennsylvania Assembly take oath of allegiance. 
English Friends prevent passage of bill. 
Most Friends leave the Assembly. 
Pennsylvania ceases to be governed by Friends 1 

peaceful principles. 
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting establishes stand- 
ing committee, — Meeting for Sufferings. 
Association of Friends formed ' ' for gaining and 

preserving peace with the Indians by pacific; 

measures." 

1757 Treaty at Easton with Indians. 



38 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1757 Virginia Yearly Meeting adopts query intended 

to prohibit trade in slaves. 

1758 Second treaty of Easton. 

London Yearly Meeting issues advices not to 
engage in slave trade. 

Daniel Hollis dies in Winchester jail while im- 
prisoned for non-payment of tithes, aged 
ninety-seven. Death caused by injuries 
received at time of arrest shortly before. 

1760 Accession of George III. Friends address King. 
London Yearly Meeting seriously considers 

supposed declension of Society. Committee of 
concerned Friends appointed to visit Quarter- 
ly and Monthly Meetings in endeavor to 
restore ancient zeal. 

1761 London Meeting makes slave trade a disownable 

offence. 
Sub -committee of the general committee visits 
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings. 

1762 All meetings in England reported visited. 
London Yearly Meeting encourages Friends' 

schools and printing of religious books. 
Ravages by Indians in western Pennsylvania. 

1763 John Woolman visits Indians. 

Francis Hart (Eng.) tried for libel on account 
of the disownment of Mary Jerom. Jury 
brought in verdict guilty. New trial and 
acquittal. 
- Peace declared between England and France. 
1765 Treaty with Indians ends Indian wars. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 39 

1765 Renewal in London Yearly Meeting of proposi- 

tion for women's yearly meeting for discipline. 
Parliament passes Stamp Act. 

1766 Committee of men decide it not desirable to 

comply with proposal concerning women's 
meeting. 
Stamp Act repealed. 

1770 English Friends visit north Holland and Ger- 

many. Society much reduced on continent. 

1771 New York Yearly Meeting forbids selling of 

slaves. 

1772 John Woolman goes to England. Visits Lon- 

don Yearly Meeting, travels in midland and 

northern counties. 
Death of John Woolman at York from small-pox. 
Death of Samuel Fothergill. 

1773 Virginia meeting makes traffic in slaves disown- 

able. 

1774 Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. 
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting cautions to keep 

from excitement and violence of the times. 
Beginning of Pennsylvania Society for Abolition 
of Slavery. 

1775 Warner Mifflin emancipates his slaves. 
London Yearly Meeting advises to keep clear of 

spirit of parties and to cherish principle of 
peace and good-will to all. 
Philadelphia advices for faithfulness to peace 
principles. 



40 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1775 Friends in New England suffer from effects of 

war. 

Friends in Pennsylvania contribute to their relief. 

Inhabitants of Pennsylvania petition Assembly, 
drawing attention to charter rights of Friends 
not to be obliged "to do or suffer any act or 
thing contrary to their religious persuasion," 
and pleading w T ith the Assembly for con- 
ciliatory measures. 

Elias Hicks becomes prominent in ministry. 

1776 Friends' settlements increase in western Virginia 
-89 and Maryland. 

1776 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting makes slave-hold- 

ing a disownable offence. 

Old Colonial Assembly of Pennsylvania comes 
to an end. 

Friends testify against warfare, continental 
money, taxes to support war, contributing sup- 
plies for war. 

Much suffering endured for these testimonies. 

Representatives from New England, Virginia and 
North Carolina attend Philadelphia Yearly 
Meeting for consultation. 

1777 English Friends petition King and Commons for 

peaceable adjustment of difficulties with colo- 
nies. 

New York Yearly Meeting requires manumission 
of slaves. 

Friends fined and imprisoned for refusing support 
to war. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 41 

1777 Drafted Friends refuse to bear arms. 
Spurious papers arouse Congress against Friends. 
Seventeen Friends arrested in Philadelphia as 

disaffected, and sent to Winchester, Va. 

Committee from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 
carry copies of testimony against war to British 
General Howe and to General Washington. 

British take possession of Philadelphia in Ninth 
month. 

About this time formation of " Free Quakers ' ' in 
vicinity of Philadelphia, not opposed to bear- 
ing arms. 

1778 Maryland Yearly Meeting makes slave-holding 

disownable. 
Virginia exiles allowed to return to Philadelphia 

at their own expense. Three had died. 
Friends address Assembly of Pennsylvania on 

account of sufferings. 
British leave Philadelphia. 
Testimony of Friends against oath of allegiance. 

1779 Ack worth school opened. 
William Savery appears in ministry. 

Friends address Pennsylvania Assembly con- 
cerning test acts. 
Continued sufferings of Friends during w T ar. 

1780 Captivity of the Gilbert family among Indians. 
Continued sufferings of Friends during war. 
Death of Dr. John Fothergill. 

Legislature of Pennsylvania passes act for 
gradual abolition of slavery. 



42 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1780 London Yearly Meeting adopts more severe rules 

against those marrying out of the Society. 
London Yearly Meeting petitions the House of 

Commons for abolition of slave trade. 
Beginning of Abolition Society in London. 

1781 Surrender of Cornwallis. Friends ill-treated 

because of not celebrating the event. 

Disowned members try to obtain share in prop- 
erty of Society. 

Design frustrated by legal advice of Nicholas 
Wain. 

1782 New England Meeting reports all members free 

from slave-holding. 

1784 Large number American Friends visited meet- 
ings in Great Britain and Ireland. 
Women's Yearly Meeting in London receives 
reports from Quarterly meetings and issues 
advices. 

1787 Beginning of manumission in Carolina. 

1789 Friends address George Washington, expressing 

loyalty to government. 

1790 Women's Yearly Meeting (London) receives 

representative constitution. 
Westtown boarding school proposed. (Opened 
1799). 

1792 Friends begin to settle in Canada. 

Friends journey to Sandusky to visit Indians. 

1793 Trustees first appointed to hold general stock of 

Society instead of cashiers nominated at each 
Yearly Meeting. (England.) 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 43 

1794 Friends journey to Canandaigua, N. Y. , to effect 

treaty. 

1795 Baltimore and New York Yearly Meetings be- 

gin systematic work among Indians. 

1796 English Friends petition the House of Commons 

on subject of sufferings for tithes and the 
ecclesiastical claims. 
Stephen Grellet appears in ministry. 

1796 Three Friends live among Oneidas to teach In- 
-99 dians civilized living. 

1797 The Nicholites in Maryland unite with Friends. 
Beginning of doctrinal controversy in Ireland. 

1798 Joseph Lancaster begins teaching poor children 

in a shed. 

Three Friends go to live among Senecas at re- 
quest of Indians. 

Friends preserved from injury during rebellion 
in Ireland. 

Committee appointed to visit Irish meetings re- 
port Society very weak. 

Hannah Barnard begins travels in England, 
Scotland, Wales and Ireland. 

1799 Several withdraw from the Society in Ireland or 

are disowned. 



44 CHRONOLOGY OF 



V. 

DISSENSION. 

1800-1828. 

About the beginning of the present century doctrinal 
controversy appeared among Friends with disastrous 
results. As early as 1797 Friends in Ireland became 
involved in controversy concerning " the inspiration of 
the scriptures/' and in a few years were weakened 
and dismembered. English Friends were engaged 
in doctrinal discussion during the first quarter of the 
century. Trinitarian views were held by many of the 
leaders, and the body of Friends in England has 
always been considered ' ' orthodox. ' ' American Friends 
became divided in sentiment on several points, two 
parties appeared in the Society, and after some years 
of confusion, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting re-organized. 
Two main branches of Friends have since existed. 
The Yearly Meetings of New York, Ohio, Indiana and 
Baltimore divided in 1828. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 45 



1800 London Meeting for Sufferings defends Societv 

against accusations of monopolizing corn and 
flour during time of scarcity. 

Defection continues in Ireland. 

Hannah Barnard's ministry objected to in Lon- 
don Yearly Meeting. 

Hannah Barnard advised to refrain from preach, 
ing and to return home. 
1802 Hannah Barnard returns home after unsuccess- 
ful appeals to other meetings. 

Baltimore Meeting presents memorial to Congress 
concerning spirituous liquors among Indians. 

Rigid enforcement of discipline decided on in 
Ireland. 

Irish Friends divided in opinion and decreased 
in numbers. 

1801 Doctrinal controversy among English Friends* 
-12 notably, Thomas Foster (" Verax"), Unitarian 

views, Joseph Gurney Bevan ("Vindex"), 
Trinitarian views. 

1802 Disownment of Hannah Barnard by her own 

Quarterly Meeting in New York. 
Friends in America contribute to relief of Friends 
and others in distress from famine in Great 
Britain and Ireland. 
1804 Philip Dennis goes to teach agriculture among 
Wabash Indians. 



46 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1805 Joseph Lancaster's school made a free school. 
London Yearly Meeting reports remissness in 

instructing youth in Christian principles. 
English Friends legally confirmed in right to 
hold meetings for discipline with closed doors. 

1806 London Yearly Meeting subscribes for benefit 

American Indians. 

1807 Small tract for instruction of children circulated 

among English Friends. 
England abolishes Slave Trade. 
1809 London Meeting for Sufferings reports draft of 
catechism, but subject was dismissed. 

1811 Journey of William Allen and Stephen Grellet 
-14 on continent. 

1812 Disownment of Thomas Foster ("Verax") by 

Katcliffe Monthly Meeting. 

1813 Elizabeth Fry first visits Newgate. 
Ohio Yearly Meeting established. 

1814 London Yearly Meeting confirms disownment of 

Thomas Foster. 

1816 English Friends visit Friends in Germany and 

France (Pyrmont, Westphalia and Minden, 
Prussia ; Congenies, France). 

1817 Joseph John Gurney appears in ministry. 
Association formed for Improvement of Female 

Prisoners in Newgate. 

1818 English Friends petition King of Sweden and 

Norway for toleration of Friends in those 
countries. 
1818-20 Third continental journey of Stephen Grellet. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 47 

1819 English Friends petition the House of Commons 
concerning penal code, asking that death 
penalty be restricted as far as possible. 
1819 Many English Friends (Trinitarian) visit 
-28 America. 

First open disrespect to Elias Hicks in Phila- 
delphia. 
1822 Friends open Indian school at Waupaghkonnetta, 
Ohio. 

Some members of Philadelphia Meeting for Suf- 
ferings hold an unofficial meeting to obstruct 
labors of Elias Hicks. Two or three elders 
appointed to wait on Elias when he should 
arrive in Philadelphia on way to Baltimore 
Yearly Meeting. 

Elias Hicks attends Baltimore Yearly and 
Southern Quarterly Meetings, and comas 
thence to Philadelphia. 

Elders wait on Elias Hicks on his arrival in 
Philadelphia and charge him with preaching 
false doctrines. 

Ten Philadelphia elders demand another inter- 
view with Elias Hicks. He denies their author- 
ity, but agrees to meet them at Green Street 
meeting-house. Unsatisfactory result. 

Green Street Monthly Meeting indorses Elias 
Hicks' s certificate. 

Doctrinal controversy at Wilmington, Del., over 
signatures "Paul" and "Amicus" intro- 
duced in Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings. 



48 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1822 " Amicus " (defender of Friends' principles, 

attacked by " Paul ") publishes declaration as- 
suming personal responsibility for views 
expressed. 

1823 Contending factions strive in Philadelphia meet- 
-26 ings; disturbances in meetings for worship, 

enmity and contention in disciplinary meetings. 

1823 Friends present petition to the House of Com- 

mons for gradual termination of negro slavery 
in British dominions. 

" Extracts from Writings of Primitive Friends 
concerning the Divinity of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ," brought forward in 
Meeting for Sufferings, Philadelphia. Passed 
in spite of objections, printed but not dis- 
tributed. 

"Extracts" embodied in minutes to Yearly 
Meeting. 

This document, popularly called "The Creed/' 
suppressed by Yearly Meeting. 

1824 Supreme Court of France allows affirmation of 

Friends in civil cases. 

1824 Increasing dissension in the Society and grow- 
-25 ing assumption of authority by Philadelphia 
Meeting for Sufferings. 

1826 Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings refuses to 
receive representatives from Southern Quar- 
terly Meeting, and denies right of Quarterly 
Meetings to change their representatives. 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 49 

1826 Commotion at Pine Street meeting when Elias 

Hicks preaches. 

Pine and Twelfth Street Monthly Meetings send 
deputation to Jericho, Long Island, concerning 
Elias Hicks. 

Jericho Monthly Meeting takes no action in the 
matter. 

Two English women Friends charge Darby 
meeting with infidelity. 

Dissension fanned by visiting English Friends. 

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting appoints com- 
mittee to visit Monthly Meetings. 

1827 The disorder and contention in Philadelphia 

lead John Comly to think of peaceable with- 
drawal of the non-" orthodox" members 
from Philadelphia meetings and uniting with 
country Quarterlies. 

' ' Orthodox ' ' members in Select Yearly Meeting 
(Philadelphia) appoint committee of "ortho- 
dox ' ' members to visit subordinate meetings 
to judge of their soundness. 

Fourth month 16th, general Yearly Meeting 
meets in Philadelphia. 

Disagreement in men's meeting concerning 
Quarterly representatives and choice of clerk. 
The representatives being unable to agree on 
appointments for clerk and assistant clerk, 
Samuel Bettle and John Comly, appointed 
previous year, continue. 

Yearly Meeting raises three thousand dollars to 



50 CHRONOLOGY OF 

1827 assist freedmen in North Carolina. (Last 
act unitedly performed by Friends.) 

Committee appointed by ' ' weight ' ' to visit 
subordinate meetings. 

During General Yearly Meeting week, confer- 
ence of Friends (non-" orthodox") propose a 
"quiet retreat from this scene of confusion,' ' 
and issue address to that effect. 

Conference adjourns until Sixth month. 

Green Street Monthly Meeting asks to be received 
by Abington Quarterly, and is received. 

Fifth month. — Committee appointed (Arch 
Street) in 1826 proposes to lay down Green 
Street Monthly Meeting and transfer members 
to Northern district. 

Radnor withdraws from Philadelphia Quarterly 
(Arch Street) and is received by Abington. 

Mt. Holly leaves Burlington for Bucks, other 
Friends in Philadelphia join Byberry and 
Darby. Darby and Byberry institute meetings 
for worship in Philadelphia. 

Abington establishes meeting for discipline in 
Philadelphia, called Monthly Meeting for 
Friends of Philadelphia. 

Sixth month. — General meeting of Friends 
(non-" orthodox") adopt epistle. Yearly Meet- 
ing appointed for Tenth month. 

Tenth month. — Yearly Meeting of Friends 
assembles at Green Street. Representatives 
from Abington, Bucks, Concord, Western and 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 51 

1827 Southern Quarterly Meetings; Mount Holly, 
Chesterfield and Kadnor, Monthly. 

Address to Friends within the meeting adopted, 
also epistle to Baltimore Yearly Meeting. 

Yearly Meeting appointed for Fourth month, 
1828. 

Eleventh month. — Separation at Salem, Bur- 
lington and Cain. 

Twelfth month. — Separation at Haddonfield. 

1828 Test and Corporation Acts repealed in England. 

Friends' affirmation made valid in criminal 
cases. 

London Yearly Meeting refuses correspondence 
with Green Street Yearly Meeting. 

Second month. — Separation at Shrewsbury and 
Rahway. 

Fourth month. — The reorganized Yearly Meet- 
ing of Friends assembles in Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting of Friends es- 
tablished. Representative Committee appoint- 
ed to act during recess of Yearly Meeting. 

Fourth month. — (Arch Street) Yearly Meeting 
proceeds to lay down meetings and disown 
members. 

Fifth month. — Separation in New York Yearly 
Meeting. 

In Summer, Separation in Indiana Yearly 
Meeting. 

In Autumn, Separation in Ohio and Baltimore 
Yearly Meetings. 






